An Objective Look At “Speaking in Tongues” in 8 Brief Points

This brief paper will examine the act/behaviour of speaking in tongues while also considering expert voices from a number of linguists.

1. What is Speaking in Tongues?

Though commonly referred to “speaking in tongues,” linguists prefer to identify the phenomenon as glossolalia (glossa = tongue, lalia = speaking). For the speaker (glossolalic), glossolalia is believed to be an unknown divine language of which the person appears to speak (1). It is often claimed to be a supernatural phenomenon though a true definition of glossolalia can be a bit murky (2). For instance, the New Catholic Encyclopedia (1967) says that it is “a charisma that enables the recipient to praise God in miraculous speech” whereas the New Encyclopedia Britannica (1990) calls it “a neurotic or psychotic symptom.” Sometimes it is refers to as “gibberish,” “tongue jabbering”, and “unintelligible words.” Further complexity pertaining to definition arises when one discovers glossolalia is a phenomenon spread across a number of religions.

2. The Biblical Basis of Glossolalia.

Though Christians often disagreed with each other on the biblical basis for speaking in tongues there are five places in the New Testament where it is referred to explicitly.

It can be found in our earliest gospel, Mark 16:17. In Mark’s gospel we read Jesus’ instructions to the apostles. Jesus told them that “they will speak with new tongues” as a sign that they would follow and believe in him. Further, the book of Acts also instances early Christians speaking in tongues. In Acts 2, for example, there is an occurrence of speaking in tongues in Jerusalem at Pentecost which was accompanied by “a mighty rushing wind.” The apostles, having been “filled with the Holy Spirit,” “began to speak in other languages” to the amazement of each person in attendance who “heard their own language being spoken.” A little later in Acts 10:46 the household of Cornelius in Caesarea spoke in tongues, and those present compared it to the speaking in tongues that occurred at Pentecost. This was believed to be evidence that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even onto the Gentiles. In Acts 19:6 roughly a dozen men spoke in tongues in Ephesus as they received the Holy Spirit while the apostle Paul laid his hands upon them. Our earliest Christian writer, the apostle Paul also mentions speaking in tongues in his letters. In 1 Corinthians 12, 13, and 14 Paul discusses speaking in “various kinds of tongues” as part of his wider discussion of the gifts of the Spirit.

It is worth noting that in the Bible there are two kinds of tongues reported (3). This included the gift of diverse kinds of tongues (speaking in human languages) and the gift of speaking in an unknown tongue (a heavenly language). The former is known as is xenoglossia (xenos = foreign, glossa = tongue). Xenoglossia is the use of an actual foreign language by a person who has had no conscious knowledge of that language. A good example of this is St. Pachomius, the Egyptian founder of the first Christian monastery, who was alleged to be able to speak in Greek and Latin even though he had never learned either language. The latter type, however, is what linguists refer to as glossolalia.

3. Many Believe in its Authenticity Through Experience

Many glossolalics (that’s what they are referred to) claim that their experiences are genuine. Linguist Felicitas Goodman’s research found a “before and after” phase in the lives of the tongue-speakers, with a clear, decisive “change” in-between which suggested that the experience of speaking in tongues had transformative power (4). In 1975, Kildahl found that Christian glossolalics reported positive, and negative consequences, following their experiences of speaking in tongues (5). Some of these transformative changes were an increase in personal happiness, a sense of greater personal power, a joyful and warm personal fellowship among tongue-speakers, dependency on the leader who introduced the person to tongue-speaking, and divisiveness that polarizes the religious community. Glossolalia can be quite dramatic at times. For example, there are occasions when glossolalics go into convulsions or lose consciousness. Some seem to go into a trance, or become involved in “holy laughter.” The latter being the act of laughing uncontrollably, falling down on the ground, rolling around, and so on (often referred to being “slain in the spirit”) (6).

4. Glossolalia is Widespread

Though glossolalia is common within the Christian Pentecostal movement, other religions share similar stories, experiences, and beliefs. Though there are cases of people in certain parts of the world speaking in apparently unintelligible fashion (7), glossolalia is commonly found in Shamanism and Paganism, and has traces in Japan (8). Vodouists in Haiti have also been said to speak in tongues. According to Christian writer and pastor Wayne Wells “The ecstatic utterances of modern day tongue-speakers are regularly manifested among Buddhists, Hindus, Mormons, Moslems, Shintoists, Spirits, and voodoo devotees. Tongue-speaking has also been reported by those under the influence of LSD. The Pentecostal experience is not unique” (9).

Evidence seems to support this. L. Carlyle May of Harvard University, in his 1956 work “A Survey of Glossolalia and Related Phenomena in Non-Christian Religions,” describes the prevalence of tongue-speaking on the part of the Hindus in India (10). Further, in his ethnological study, anthropologist G.J. Jennings observed glossolalia among Tibetan monks, the Haida Indians of the Pacific Northwest, certain North American Indians, the Aborigines of Australia, the aboriginal peoples of the subarctic regions of North America and Asia, the Curanderos of the Andes, the Dyaks of Borneo, the Chaco Indians of South America, shamans in the Sudan, Siberia and Greenland, and in various cults (Voodoo in Haiti, Zor in Ethiopia, Shango on the west coast of Africa, and the Shago in Trinidad) (11). Therefore, as Russell P. Spittler, senior professor of New Testament at Fuller Theological Seminary, concludes, glossolalia is “not limited to Christianity nor even to religious behavior” (12)

5. Glossolalia & Mental Illness.

Though glossolalics have been labeled schizophrenic, neurotic, emotionally unstable, dogmatic, among other terms (13), they seldom actually suffer from mental problems (14). According to anthropologist Virginia Wine that theory has jumped ship, “Quite clearly, available evidence requires that an explanation of glossolalia as pathological be discarded” (15). In support, a 2003 study by Francis and Robbins of close to 1000 evangelical Christians in England found that those who engaged in the practice were more emotionally stable than those who did not, thus challenging the view of those who believe glossolalics suffer from mental illnesses (16).

6. Linguist William Samarin

In the early 1970s the linguist William J. Samarin from the University of Toronto published a detailed assessment of Pentecostal glossolalia. His work proved hugely influential and became a classic work on linguistic characteristics (17). Samarin included a large sample of glossolalia, and over a span of five years he recorded instances of it in both public and private Christian meetings in a number of countries. The subjects came from a number of cultural backgrounds including those found in Italy, Netherlands, Jamaica, Canada and the US. He also included groups known as the Snake Handlers, the Puerto Ricans of the Bronx, the Appalachians, and the Spiritual Christians from Russia in Los Angeles.

Having sifted through his data, Samarin found that glossolalic speech resembled human language in some ways. For example, the speaker uses rhythm, accent, intonation, and pauses to break up the speech into distinct units. Each unit is itself made up of syllables, the syllables being formed from consonants and vowels taken from a language known to the speaker (18). Many of the sounds on the part of the speaker were taken from what he or she already knows. The sounds are then put together and subsequently emerge as word-like and sentence-like units (19). Samarin suggested that glossolalia is “only a facade of language,” and not “a specimen of human language because it is neither internally organized nor systematically related to the world man perceives” (20). His conclusion was that speaking in tongues is a “meaningless but phonologically structured human utterance, believed by the speaker to be a real language but bearing no systematic resemblance to any natural language, living or dead” (21).

7. Linguist Felicitas Goodman

In her study, linguist and anthropologist Felicitas Goodman found that the speech of glossolalics reflected the patterns of speech of the speaker’s native language (22) Goodman examined a number of Pentecostal communities in America, Mexico, and the Caribbean which included English, Spanish, and Mayan-speaking groups. She compared what she found with recordings of non-Christian rituals from Africa, Borneo, Indonesia and Japan. She took into account both the segmental structure (such as sounds, syllables, phrases) and the supra-segmental elements (rhythm, accent, intonation). She published her research in 1972 and concluded that there was no distinction between what was practiced by the Pentecostal Protestants and the followers of other religions (23).

8. Glossolalia as Learned Behaviour

Linguistic data suggests that glossolalia can be a learned behaviour. An experiment conducted by Spanos had participants listen to a recorded sample of genuine glossolalia. After listening to the recording 20% of his subjects were able to speak in tongues immediately without further training. Further, after some coaching, 70% of the trained subjects were fluent in glossolalia. The conclusion to the study was that “Glossolalia, therefore, seems likely to be a type of learned behavior rather than a special altered state of mind” (24).

Kildahl came to a similar conclusion saying that “the evidence is strong that one may learn to speak in tongues under certain prescribed conditions… My glossolalia research has convinced me that it is a learned behaviour which can bring a sense of power and well-being. It may also lead to excesses resulting in community disruption. It is the use of glossolalia which determines whether or not it is constructive.” According to Goodman glossolalia “is, actually, a learned behavior, learned either unawarely or, sometimes consciously. Others have previously pointed out that direct instruction is given on how to “speak in tongues,” ie. how to engage in glossolalia… association between trance and glossolalia is now accepted by many researchers as a correct assumption” (25).

The studies conclude that though not dismissing the supernatural claims surrounding glossolalia, it is quite possible that it be acquired by almost anyone who possesses the motivation to learn it. This learning process can be more effective if the person is exposed regularly to social environments that encourage the behaviour.

References

1. Colman, A. 2001. “Glossolalia,” in A Dictionary of Psychology.

2. Slotegraaf, Auke. 2005. The psychology of speaking in tongues: A review. Available.

Hello James.
I am not schooled in the academic investigations of this phenomenon. Never the less I disagree with many of the conclusions from the studies, especially that, “it is quite possible that it be acquired by almost anyone who possesses the motivation to learn it etc…” My understanding comes only from an examination of the Biblical narrative, my own experiences and my observations of others.
Firstly, the disciples on the Day of Pentecost spoke in other languages from an unlearned and unpractised position. It was a spontaneous expression, one which unschooled Peter immediately recognised as a God given ability as foretold in Joel 2:28-32. Clearly, the expression of this gift was not learned and certainly not coincident with being “exposed regularly to social environments that encourage the behaviour”. Quite the opposite. Their experience was sudden and the social environment was one of gathering in a spirit of fear since the crucifixion of Jesus. Similarly, in Acts 10 and 19 the people had not learned nor practised the ability to speak in tongues. It was a sudden and spontaneous expression.
Secondly, to suggest that there is a distinction into two types of “tongues”, glossolalia and xenolalia, is stretching the logic. Certainly, the disciples spoke in foreign but recognisable languages and presumably others as related Acts 10 and 19 spoke in foreign but unrecognisable languages, yet the disciples with Peter declared that these Gentiles had received the Holy Spirit “just as we have”. Furthermore, in 1 Corinthians 13:1, Paul says “If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels…”. Following Occam’s Razor, one would have to say that he meant that while Tongues can manifest as a human or an angelic language, it is the same gift in operation. Additionally, if it is an unknown human language or an unknown angelic language, the hearers are none the wiser so why make a distinction that is probably not there?
Thirdly, I offer my own experience. When I had received prayer for the Gift of Tongues, absolutely nothing happened. However, when I was later alone in my own room, I decided that in the public situation I was just nervous and clammed up, so in private I gave it another attempt. I had been advised that in order for the Holy Spirit to manifest this gift I would have to actually open my mouth and so I did, haltingly at first but more fluently as the days went by. It was not, in my assessment, practising a language to a state of fluency, but learning how to let the Holy Spirit direct my vocal equipment instead of my brain. In addition to this experience, I have found on many occasions, that the language I am speaking out is noticeably different and so significantly so as to be a different language. I had no control over what language came out, only to start or stop. No chance of practice or learning has been involved. I also comment that there is no involvement in being in some kind of trance like state. I am fully awake and fully conscious of my surroundings, otherwise I would have been involved in several serious automobile accidents.
Fourthly, in my observations of others, the reception of this gift has resulted in a spontaneous, immediate, unlearned and unpractised expression and was not preceded by any training or advice on how to do it. I also recall one instance where a friend of mine, Russell, exercised the gift out loud and publicly in a church meeting. There was, of course, an interpretation. At the conclusion of the evening, two visitors approached Russell and asked if he understood what he had spoken. He answered “no” then they astounded him by saying that they had understood every word. They were from Brazil and Russell had spoken in fluent Portuguese! No practice; no learning. (Apparently the interpretation matched in meaning though not as a direct translation).
Fifthly, it is entirely possible and often seen that the human mind can invent new languages. Esperanto is an academic and technical achievement. SciFi script writers have a similar ability, but in either case there is no involvement of the Holy Spirit. These are intellectually derived languages.

Tongues / languages as a Spiritual gift was given to evangelise the World as commanded in the commission Matthew 28: 19, “Make disciples of all nations”. This gift is exercised by the likes of Bible translators and missionaries entering foreign languages. Spiritual gifts were never given for personal use, but to reach the unbelievers in all Nations. Paul was an example or speaking in several languages to communicate the Gospel. The languages used in Acts 2 had been heard by the followers of Christ during Pentecost and they attempted to relate in those languages present on that day. It was the beginning of reaching out to the nations. Language must communicate a message understood by the hearer, otherwise it is not intelligent. God is not the author of confusion but of order and a clear voice! Cp 1 Corinthians 14.
If God can create language diversity Genesis 11 then he can also give some the spiritual ability to interpret those same diverse languages to fulfil His commission. They are currently over 9,000 used languages tongues and dialects and God enables those by His Spirit to make His message known to those in every nation as fulfilment of His commission.

Note: The ability to speak in another tongue other than one’s native tongue is a spiritual gift. Some can learn languages quickly if the passion is there, which passion is a fruit of the Spirit, the language if dedicated to spreading the gospel is a spiritual gift.

John Phillips has a completely erroneous understanding of the nature of the Gift of Tongues. To support that opinion, I discuss his comments point by point.
Assertion:
Tongues / languages as a Spiritual gift was given to evangelise the World as commanded in the commission Matthew 28: 19, “Make disciples of all nations”.
Repost:
Matthew 28 is one of the texts for the Great Commission and none make any mention of the Gift of Tongues. The assertion is in contradiction to 1 Corinthians 14 where its purpose is clearly defined.
Assertion:
This gift is exercised by the likes of Bible translators and missionaries entering foreign languages.
Repost:
The texts referring to the Gift of Tongues state specific uses for this gift, none of which are for enabling missionaries or translators to comprehend foreign languages. Rather they are:
• Edifying the believer (1 Cor 14:4).
• Edifying the church when accompanied by the Gift of Interpretation (1 Cor 14:13-17).
• Enabling believers to pray when their natural vocabulary is insufficient (Romans 8:26).
Assertion:
Spiritual gifts were never given for personal use but to reach the unbelievers in all Nations.
Repost:
• All spiritual gifts are given to individuals for building up the Church. They are personally exercised for the corporate good (1 Cor 12:7). Paul’s admonition to the Corinthians was that they were using Tongues, publicly, as an exercise in self-aggrandisement, for which this gift is definitely not given. It is the only gift, which has a specifically private and personal use (1 Cor 14:4 and 18).
• Some gifts are specifically given for outreach purposes. The Gift of Evangelism is the prime example (Eph 4:11) .
Assertion:
Paul was an example or speaking in several languages to communicate the Gospel.
Repost:
• Paul was fluent in Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek and Latin, not because he had the Gift of Tongues, but because he knew and used these languages even before he was converted.
• Paul specifically discouraged the use of tongues when unbelievers were present, because they would not understand what was spoken, and would have thought the believers to be mad (1 Cor 14:23).
Assertion:
The languages used in Acts 2 had been heard by the followers of Christ during Pentecost and they attempted to relate in those languages present on that day.
Repost:
• The scripture clearly states that the ability to speak in other languages was given by the Holy Spirit at the time, right there and then.
• If they had learnt these languages beforehand, the listening crowd would not have been amazed that they could speak thus and that would have negated the whole purpose of the gift, in that specific context, which was to draw attention to the fact that God was doing something very special in their midst.
• The common inter-racial language of the time was Greek and Aramaic was the common language of the Jews so there was no need of any supernatural Gift of Tongues to enable comprehension. The subsequent preaching by Peter was most certainly in Aramaic, a language Peter had been raised in.
Assertion:
It was the beginning of reaching out to the nations. Language must communicate a message understood by the hearer, otherwise it is not intelligent. God is not the author of confusion but of order and a clear voice! Cp 1 Corinthians 14.
Repost:
• The Day of Pentecost was certainly not the beginning of reaching out to the nations. It was the beginning of reaching out to the Jews. The disciples, even after this amazing experience, still thought the Gospel was for the Jews alone. It was not until Peter’s experience with Cornelius that they finally understood the international nature of the Gospel and began evangelising the Gentiles.
Assertion:
If God can create language diversity (Genesis 11) then he can also give some the spiritual ability to interpret those same diverse languages to fulfil His commission.
Repost:
• This is blatantly untrue and has no scriptural basis. 1 Corinthians 14 is quite clear on the purpose of the Gift of Tongues.
Similarly, it is quite clear as to the nature and use of the Gift of Interpretation. It is specifically related to the interpretation of a public utterence in Tongues so that all may understand what the Holy Spirit is saying to the gathered Christians.
Assertion:
There are currently over 9,000 used languages, tongues and dialects and God enables those by His Spirit to make His message known to those in every nation as fulfilment of His commission.
Repost:
• This is certainly not true and has no scriptural nor experiential basis. I have been acquainted with or friends of many missionaries and bible translators, some of whom speak in Tongues in their private devotions and some who do not. In all instances none have received any gift of the Holy Spirit that enables them to supernaturally understand any language for the purposes of mission or bible translation work or evangelism in foreign lands. If that had been the case, the entire world would have been evangelised long before any participants in this discussion were born. On the contray, such understanding has required months, but usually years of study and hard work before becoming sufficiently fluent to be of use. The only spiritual, supernatural element of their work has been the raw grace of God manifesting itself in utter dedication to love God and his lost people.

James Bishop

James is from South Africa. He is a graduate in Creative Brand Communication and Marketing (CBC) & Theology (majoring in psychology). James obtained his BTh with cum laude, and is currently pursuing his postgraduate in Religious Studies.